Diabrotica undecimpunctata

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Spotted cucumber beetle
Spotted cucumber beetle.JPG
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Chrysomelidae
Genus: Diabrotica
Species:
D. undecimpunctata
Binomial name
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
Mannerheim, 1843
Spotted cucumber beetle Spotted Cucumber Beetle.jpg
Spotted cucumber beetle
A spotted cucumber beetle eating a leaf. Spotted Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata).jpg
A spotted cucumber beetle eating a leaf.
Diabrotica undecimpunctata on goldenrod.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata, the spotted cucumber beetle or southern corn rootworm, is a species of cucumber beetle that is native to North America. The species can be a major agricultural pest insect in North America. Spotted cucumber beetles cause damage to crops in the larval and adult stages of their life cycle. Larvae feed on the roots of the emerging plants, which causes the most damage since the young plants are more vulnerable. [1] In the adult stage the beetles cause damage by eating the flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits of the plant [1] The beetles can also spread diseases such as bacterial wilt and mosaic virus. [2]

Contents

Description

The three primary types of cucumber beetles are the spotted cucumber beetle, the banded cucumber beetle ( Diabrotica balteata ), and the striped cucumber beetle ( Acalymma vittatum ). [3] In North America, the spotted and striped cucumber beetles are the most commonly encountered varieties.

The spotted cucumber beetle has three subspecies, each with a different common name:

In the adult form, it eats leaves of many crops, including squash, cucumbers, soybeans, cotton, beans, and corn. Adult beetles lay eggs in the soil near a cucurbit plant. In a lifetime, females can lay between 150-400 eggs. However, there have been cases in which females have surpassed this quota, with some laying a total of 1,200 eggs. [7] The eggs hatch around mid spring and take 6–9 days to hatch under favorable conditions. [1] In some cases, specifically when the climate is at a lower temperature, eggs can take 30 days to hatch. [8] The ideal soil for egg survival is moist. [8] The larval stage lasts around 2–3 weeks [1] and the larvae are yellowish and wormlike. [9] After the larval stage insects become pupae, this stage lasts for 6–10 days. [10] The pupae measure around 6.25 millimeters in length and 3.5 millimeters in width. They feature a pair of robust spines located at the end of their abdomen, along with smaller spines on the upper side of their other abdominal segments. [11] After 6–10 days the adult beetle emerges. Adult beetles are greenish-yellow with six large black spots on each elytron. They are about 0.5 cm long. [12] In the summertime, adults usually have a lifespan of 60 days, while in winter, they can survive for as long as 200 days. [11]

Distribution

This species is found throughout southern Canada, the continental USA, and the central highlands of Mexico, [13] but is particularly widespread throughout the southern states. [14]

Mating

During mating, the male spotted cucumber beetle positions himself on top of the female. Frequently, the female will make efforts to dislodge him. If the male manages to maintain his position despite the female's attempts, he will commence a gentle stroking of the female's antennae, eyes, and prolegs using his own antennae. This behavior is commonly referred to as 'antennal stroking.' [15]

Before accepting a reproductive partner, a female spotted cucumber beetle may mate with up to 15 males. [16]

Diet

Adult Spotted Cucumber beetles consume over fifty different types of crops and wild plants, including corn, peanuts, beans, apples, cherries, clovers, lettuce, potatoes, and more. Spotted Cucumber Beetles are classified as generalist feeders, which means they consume a wide variety of foods, however they often prefer cucurbits (plants belonging to the gourd family). [17]

Predators and biological control

The spotted cucumber beetle faces predation from a variety of insects and animals. Carabid beetles and wolf spiders, for example, are known to prey upon the Spotted Cucumber Beetle, and their presence in cucumber and squash fields has been associated with reduced beetle populations. Research has indicated that encouraging populations of these predators can be an effective biological control strategy. [18] Additionally, various birds, mammals, and amphibians feed on the Spotted Cucumber Beetle, while the beetle's eggs are targeted by spiders, ground beetles, ants, and crickets. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf beetle</span> Family of beetles

The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 species in more than 2,500 genera, making up one of the largest and most commonly encountered of all beetle families. Numerous subfamilies are recognized, but the precise taxonomy and systematics are likely to change with ongoing research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western corn rootworm</span> Subspecies of beetle

The Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, is one of the most devastating corn rootworm species in North America, especially in the midwestern corn-growing areas such as Iowa. A related species, the Northern corn rootworm, D. barberi, co-inhabits in much of the range and is fairly similar in biology.

<i>Diabrotica</i> Genus of beetles

Diabrotica is a large, widespread genus of beetles in the family Chrysomelidae. Members of this genus include several destructive agricultural pest species, sometimes referred to as cucumber beetles or corn rootworms.

<i>Acalymma vittatum</i> Species of beetle

Acalymma vittatum, the striped cucumber beetle, is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae and a serious pest of cucurbit crops in both larval and adult stages. It is distributed from eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains. It is replaced in the west by Acalymma trivittatum, a duller species often with greyish or pale white elytra rather than yellow.

<i>Diabrotica virgifera</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica virgifera is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is an agricultural pest species that attacks maize. It includes two subspecies, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera and Diabrotica virgifera zeae.

<i>Acalymma</i> Genus of beetles

Acalymma is a genus of leaf beetles found mainly in the New World. Approximately 72 species have been described in the Western Hemisphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacterial wilt</span> Species of bacterium

Bacterial wilt is a complex of diseases that occur in plants such as Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae and are caused by the pathogens Erwinia tracheiphila, a gram-negative bacterium, or Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, a gram-positive bacterium. Cucumber and melon plants are most susceptible, but squash, pumpkins, and gourds may also become infected.

<i>Cyphocleonus achates</i> Species of beetle

Cyphocleonus achates is a species of true weevil known as the knapweed root weevil. It is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean and is used as an agent of biological pest control against noxious knapweeds, especially spotted knapweed. It has recently been spotted in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coccinellidae</span> Family of beetles

Coccinellidae is a widespread family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom; "lady" refers to mother Mary. Entomologists use the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles to avoid confusion with true bugs. The more than 6,000 described species have a global distribution and are found in a variety of habitats. They are oval beetles with a domed back and flat underside. Many of the species have conspicuous aposematic (warning) colours and patterns, such as red with black spots, that warn potential predators that they taste bad.

<i>Coccinella undecimpunctata</i> Species of beetle

Coccinella undecimpunctata, the eleven-spot ladybird or eleven-spotted lady beetle, it is native to central Asia, though commonly found in Europe, and formerly North America as its populations are decreasing. It is of the family Coccinellidae, commonly referred to as ladybugs or lady beetles.

<i>Diabrotica speciosa</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica speciosa, also known as the cucurbit beetle and in Spanish as vaquita de San Antonio is an insect pest native to South America. Its larvae feed on the roots of crops. The cucurbit beetle is also known to transmit several viruses such as comoviruses and different mosaic viruses. This is native to South America and is now distributed in Central America and other global areas.

<i>Coleomegilla maculata</i> Species of beetle

Coleomegilla maculata, commonly known as the spotted lady beetle, pink spotted lady beetle or twelve-spotted lady beetle, is a large coccinellid beetle native to North America. The adults and larvae feed primarily on aphids and the species has been used as a biological control agent. Based on name connotation and to avoid confusion with other species also called "spotted ladybeetle", spotted pink ladybeetle is probably the most appropriate common name for this species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cucumber beetle</span> Common name for several species of beetles

Cucumber beetle is a common name given to members of two genera of beetles, Diabrotica and Acalymma, both in the family Chrysomelidae. The adults can be found on cucurbits such as cucumbers and a variety of other plants. Many are notorious pests of agricultural crops. The larvae of several cucumber beetles are known as corn rootworms.

<i>Diabrotica balteata</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica balteata is a species of cucumber beetle in the family Chrysomelidae known commonly as the banded cucumber beetle. It occurs in the Americas, where its distribution extends from the United States to Colombia and Venezuela in South America. It is also present in Cuba. It is a pest of a variety of agricultural crops.

<i>Gratiana boliviana</i> Species of beetle

Gratiana boliviana is a species of beetle in the leaf beetle family, Chrysomelidae. Its common name is tropical soda apple leaf beetle. It is native to South America, where its distribution includes Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It specializes on tropical soda apple, an invasive plant species. It has been released as an agent of biological pest control against the weedy plant in Florida and other parts of the United States.

<i>Squash mosaic virus</i> Species of virus

Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) is a mosaic virus disease common in squash plants and other plants, including melons, of the family Cucurbitaceae. It occurs worldwide. It is transmitted primarily by beetles, including the leaf beetle, spotted cucumber beetle, and 28-spotted ladybird beetle, as well as some other beetles. Plants are infected by the saliva expelled by the beetles as they feed upon the plant. The beetles acquire the virus by feeding upon an infected plant and can retain the virus in their bodies for up to 20 days. Unlike some other mosaic viruses that infect squashes, SqMV is not spread by aphids. In melons it can be spread by seeds. The results are dark green mosaic, blistering, vein clearing, yellowing of leaves, and hardening. Symptoms include "pronounced chlorotic mottle, green veinbanding, and distortion of leaves". Fruits of infected plants are also affected, becoming mottled and misshaped. There are two strains of this virus: strain 1 has a greater effect on melons than squash while the opposite is true of strain 2.

Diabrotica longicornis is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America.

Acalymma trivittatum, the western striped cucumber beetle, is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America. It is considered a key pest on crops in the Cucurbitaceae family.

<i>Diabrotica barberi</i> Species of beetle

Diabrotica barberi, the northern corn rootworm, is a species of skeletonizing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in North America. Adults feed on corn, and, when corn is unavailable, goldenrod pollen.

<i>Aulacophora foveicollis</i> Species of beetle

Aulacophora foveicollis, the red pumpkin beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is a foliar pest of members of the Cucurbitaceae, particularly the pumpkin. It is also a pest of millets in India.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "spotted cucumber beetle - Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber". entnemdept.ufl.edu. Archived from the original on 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  2. ↑ Almanac, Old Farmer's. "Cucumber Beetles". Old Farmer's Almanac. Archived from the original on 2020-04-22. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  3. ↑ Gill, Harsimran; Goyal, Gaurav; Kaufman, Jennifer (September 2013). "common name: spotted cucumber beetle". University of Florida Featured Creatures. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Cucumber beetles". extension.umn.edu. UMN Extension. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  5. ↑ "D. undecimpunctata tenella LeConte". USDA-APHIS Identification Technology Program. Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  6. ↑ "Identification & Management of Major Pest & Beneficial Insects in Potato" (PDF). US Pest. Oregon State University. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  7. ↑ Peters, Leroy L. (1988-01-01). "Western Corn Rootworm and European Corn Borer Control, 1986". Insecticide and Acaricide Tests. 13 (1): 230. doi: 10.1093/iat/13.1.230 . ISSN   0276-3656.
  8. 1 2 Krysan, James L. (June 1976). "MOISTURE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE EGG OF THE SOUTHERN CORN ROOTWORM, DIABROTICA UNDECIMPUNCTATA HOWARDI (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)". Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 20 (2): 154–162. Bibcode:1976EEApp..20..154K. doi:10.1111/j.1570-7458.1976.tb02628.x. S2CID   85848394.
  9. ↑ "Spotted Cucumber Beetle? - Diabrotica undecimpunctata". bugguide.net. Archived from the original on 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  10. ↑ Treat, Asher E. (1970-03-16). "Wormlike Objects (Nematode Larvae?) on Two Gamasine Mites Taken from Noctuid Moths". Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 63 (2): 619–620. doi:10.1093/aesa/63.2.619. ISSN   1938-2901.
  11. 1 2 Peters, Leroy L. (1988-01-01). "Western Corn Rootworm and European Corn Borer Control, 1986". Insecticide and Acaricide Tests. 13 (1): 230. doi: 10.1093/iat/13.1.230 . ISSN   0276-3656.
  12. ↑ "Spotted Cucumber Beetle? - Diabrotica undecimpunctata - BugGuide.Net". bugguide.net. Archived from the original on 2018-02-20. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
  13. ↑ "Diabrotica undecimpunctata" (PDF). Data Sheets on Quarantine Pests. European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  14. ↑ "EENY572/IN1008: Spotted Cucumber Beetle Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Insecta: Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)". edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  15. ↑ Tallamy, Douglas; Powell, Bradford; McClafferty, Julie (July 1, 2022). "Male traits under cryptic female choice in the spotted cucumber beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)". academic.oup.com. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Tallamy, Douglas W.; Gorski, Piotr M.; Burzon, Julia K. (2000). "Fate of Male-derived Cucurbitacins in Spotted Cucumber Beetle Females". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 26 (2): 413–427. doi:10.1023/a:1005461522609. ISSN   0098-0331. S2CID   10346681.
  17. ↑ Haber, Ariela I.; Pasteur, Kayla; Guzman, Filadelfo; Boyle, Sean M.; Kuhar, Thomas P.; Weber, Donald C. (2023-01-01). "Spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) is attracted to vittatalactone, the pheromone of striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum)". Journal of Pest Science. 96 (1): 21–27. doi: 10.1007/s10340-022-01586-1 . hdl: 10919/113194 . ISSN   1612-4766.
  18. ↑ Snyder, William E.; Wise, David H. (July 1999). "Predator Interference and the Establishment of Generalist Predator Populations for Biocontrol". Biological Control. 15 (3): 283–292. Bibcode:1999BiolC..15..283S. doi:10.1006/bcon.1999.0723.
  19. ↑ Phillips, Benjamin W.; Gardiner, Mary M. (January 2016). "Does local habitat management or large-scale landscape composition alter the biocontrol services provided to pumpkin agroecosystems?". Biological Control. 92: 181–194. Bibcode:2016BiolC..92..181P. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2015.10.001.
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